Thursday, November 8, 2012

Como Park Zoo

Earlier this week, I posted a video of the Arrows playing zoo. We had just returned home from our trip to Minneapolis, so I know their game of pretend was inspired by the morning we spent at the Como Park Zoo in St. Paul.

The grounds at this zoo are really gorgeous. I already shared this picture, which is one of my favorites (especially considering it's in the parking lot!) I also loved this shot of the zebras.



We didn't have time to explore the adjoining conservatory. But the building itself is impressive.



One of the reasons I love to visit zoos when we travel is that there is almost always a chance to see an animal you don't get to close to home. For instance, they had a great polar bear exhibit at the Como Park Zoo, and while the Indianapolis Zoo has a polar bear, he's rarely been active when we've been. Not so at Como Park!



The polar bear lair was one of Big Arrow's favorite parts of the Como Park Zoo. Kids get to crawl around a tunnel and explore as if they were polar bears themselves.



The giraffes are a favorite in our family. Probably because they're always eating (in other words, they'd fit right in with us).


Little Arrow was content to just enjoy the view.




A few tips if you head to Como Park Zoo and Conservatory:
  • Bring cash in small bills. This is a free zoo, but a donation is strongly encouraged as you enter. So you'll want to have a $5 or $10 bill handy.
  • Use a baby carrier or have an extra set of hands. Given the colder Minnesota climate, many of the animals are housed indoors, so you'll be in and out of buildings. Unfortunately, the doors were a little tricky to navigate with a stroller. So bring a friend to help you or use a baby carrier.
  • Don't worry about weather. It was a beautiful, sunny day when we were there, but if it had been gloomy, it would have been fine. Like I said, many of the animals are indoors. There's also a great area for kid activities just off the entrance if you need to escape the elements for a longer period of time. And you could always spend even more time exploring the indoor conservatory.


This post is a part of Photo Friday at Delicious Baby, Friday Daydreamin' at R We There Yet Mom, and Travel Tips Tuesday at Walking on Travels and Suitcases & Sippy Cups.

4 comments:

  1. I love that your gang loves the giraffes because they are always eating. You and I are definitely in for quite the grocery bill once our boys become teenagers. I don't know about you, but pasta will be a BIG part of our lives I think in 10 years ;-)

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  2. What's that polar bear doing in a field of dry, brown grass? Seems odd not to seem him on ice. :)

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  3. Look at those eyes! That picture of the Little Arrow is great!

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  4. I love wildlife and I really enjoyed reading your blog.

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